Alignment System for Extruders

The alignment system is made up of the laser, target, readout, a target adaptor and pole extension systems to measure the barrel.

The laser is mounted in the gearbox of the extruder via a three-jaw chuck; we typically align the chuck so it is on the center of the gearbox rotation. The L-705 laser is made so that the mounting stud is concentric and centered to the laser beam. Once the laser is mounted in the chuck we place the self-centering two-axis target at the front of the barrel. The target is attached to a R-307 readout that gives an LED display in .001 or .0001" in both the vertical and horizontal axis. With the laser mounted in the gearbox we turn on the laser and observe the readings that the readout is displaying from the target. We rotate the gear box 180° and see if we have the same numbers as we did at 0°. If not, we adjust the angle adjustments at the back of the laser until we have the same numbers at 180°as we do at 0°.

Once this is achieved the laser is orientated on center and parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive train. The numbers that are being produced from the readout at this time reflect where the barrel is actually at in relationship to the center axis of rotation of the drive train. The target can now be placed anywhere in the barrel to reflect its alignment.

The technician can usually give the customer numbers within minutes of setup, this is providing the barrel is not so far off that the laser can not hit the target.